DURHAM -- Children with mental health issues will now have access to intensive in-home therapy as Kinark replaces its residential treatment program in Durham.

Kinark Child and Family Services is a children's mental health organization that provides services and support to families of children 12 and under dealing with mental health issues.

The new in-home treatment program is a two-year pilot project aimed at bringing the service in line with current best practices, according to Kinark CEO Peter Moore.

"In residential programs children are removed from their homes," Mr. Moore explained.

"We've revised that to provide intensive treatment in their own homes because the literature says it is at least as effective, and because it's less costly, we can serve more kids."

Durham's residential program was shut down Jan. 23, resulting in 11 staff being laid off. Mr. Moore calls the loss of staff "unfortunate," but says he is hopeful some can be rehired as the in-home program gets up and running.

"This is a pilot project. The residential program is not closing, it's just being put on hiatus until we get data to prove the in-home program is more effective," Mr. Moore explained, noting similar pilots have already been conducted elsewhere in the province, including Toronto, to great success.

"We're looking to replicate that here in Durham Region," he said of the pilot.

"We have an assessment program in place and after two years we will do a review to see if this program has been as effective or more effective for kids and what the costs are."

In the meantime, he says kids will still have access to all regular services.

"Our mandate remains unchanged. Children with mental health issues and problems will come through our central intake and assessment centre like they normally would," he said.

"For children with significant problems, the in-home treatment program is the program that would be available to them. All of this is being driven by the fact that the literature says intensive services can best be provided in children's own homes."

For more information on Kinark and its programs and services, visit www.kinark.on.ca.